March 22, 2019 Derek Chalmers, Ph.D., D.Sc. Chief Executive Officer Cara Therapeutics, Inc. 4 Stamford Plaza 107 Elm Street, 9th Floor Stamford, CT 06902 Re: Cara Therapeutics, Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-3 Filed on March 15, 2019 File No. 333-230333 Dear Dr. Chalmers: This is to advise you that we have not reviewed and will not review your registration statement. Please refer to Rules 460 and 461 regarding requests for acceleration. We remind you that the company and its management are responsible for the accuracy and adequacy of their disclosures, notwithstanding any review, comments, action or absence of action by the staff. Please contact Christine Westbrook at 202-551-5019 with any questions. Sincerely, Division of Corporation Finance Office of Healthcare & Insurance cc: Alison A. Haggerty, Esq.